By Andy Hutchison
RIDGEFIELD — Staples girls golf followed up a tough week with a big win over Ridgefield on Tuesday, shooting a season-best score of 185 vs. 198 for the Tigers at Ridgefield Golf Course.
Rachel Pontoriero shot her lowest round with a 41, as did Lucy Hill (carding a 46) in the number six spot.
Whether or not the Wreckers qualify for the FCIAC tournament hinges on what happens during the coming week. Staples, Greenwich, Fairfield Ludlowe and Ridgefield all play matches through May 28. All four teams are vying for the fifth and sixth spots in the May 29 FCIAC championships.
Staples can punch its ticket with a win at Fairfield Ludlowe on May 28 (at Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield; tee off is 2:45 p.m.).
The Wreckers, despite some good performances, dropped all three matches against challenging competition the week before.
The week kicked off with a heartbreaking one-stroke loss to Fairfield Ludlowe at home May 12. Junior captain Katelynn Mitchell was the bright spot as the Staples medalist with a 46 and birdie as part of the team’s score of 202.
“We just couldn’t get into sync. We usually never schedule matches on Monday and this just affirms Mondays are not a preferred match day,” Wreckers Coach Patty Kondub said.
On May 14, the Wreckers played well at New Canaan Country Club in the pouring rain, shooting their best team score (192) of the season but undefeated New Canaan is red hot and fired a 159.
“I was very proud of our team’s tenacity and determination to play their best in these conditions on a very challenging golf course,” Kondub said.
Similarly, the Wreckers played well at Greenwich the next and carded a 196, but the Cardinals turned in a 176, one stroke off their best round for 2025.
Pontoriero took the lead in the team’s season-long birdie competition with a birdie versus both Ludlowe and Greenwich and was a two-time medalist this past week.
Staples stands at 5-4 in conference play.
The JV also hosted Ludlowe and won. Playing for JV were team captains Ella Cohen and Sophia Gomez, Giuliana Giglio, Malena Tortorella, Jaden Tracey and Elle Worobec.
The JV squad’s record is an even .500, with the JV championship set for Tuesday, May 27.
(Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)
Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.
Thank you, Andy Hutchinson and Westport Journal for your coverage of the Staples Girls’ Golf Team. Many Westporters tell me that they love reading about all of our sports. It’s much appreciated.